Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Identified difficulties in bus boarding and disembarking: Causes and Solutions
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental AccessSchool of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo
June 6th, 2012
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
OverviewThis presentation summarizes the problems we identified through our research and our ideas for improvements to bus design that could solve the problems. There are four categories of problems identified: Ramp, Fare Payment, Navigation in Bus, and Seating.
Each problem is coded based on which group of people encountered that particular problem. Each solution is coded based on the level of effort required for implementing the solution in the case of bus features, or, other system changes that would be required to implement the solution.
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Key to Codes
2 = Development of new product or improved product required3 = Major R&D needed4 = Bus stop related 5 = Service or business practice change
Recommended Improvement Codes
VI = Visually ImpairedMWC = Manual WheelchairPWC = Power WheelchairWA= Walker Assisted ?S = Scooter
User Type Codes
1 = Easy to accomplish (Implementation Goal)
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Ramp (1/2)
Walking / rolling off the ramp during boarding and disembarking
Ramp curb height ineffective/insufficient (VI, MWC, PWC, S)
Lack of auditory cues (VI)
3 Robotic/automatic docking to ensure consistent ramp position4 Tactile locator at bus-stops to identify loading
area
Issue
Recommended Improvements1 Beacon on bus to assist people with visual impairments in identifying ramp position
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Ramp (2/2)
Instability on ramps Physical strength and motor control required to maintain
balance (MWC, WA)
Issue
3 Fold out handrails to provide support feature for entire ramp’s length4 Platform boarding3 Reduce ramp slope by using advanced folding structure: draw-bridge door, telescopic or roll-out ramps
Recommended Improvements1 Improved handrail configuration to provide manual wheelchair users better grip
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Fare Payment (1/5)
Handling fare-card / money Usually engages dominant hand (All individuals) Requires good motor control of hand (All individuals)
5 Fare payment completed at bus stop5 Free smartcards for people with vision disabilities5 RFID embedded in fare card – smart card3 Facial recognition to register smart payment5 Free fares for people with severe disabilities
Recommended Improvements
Issue
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Fare Payment (2/5)
Locating the farebox Lack of tactile guide leading to farebox (VI)
Issue
2 Card-reader embedded in the hand-rail3 RFID embedded in fare card – smart card
Recommended Improvements1 Rail (with tactile feedback) guiding to the fare-box
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Fare Payment (2/5)
Completing the actual fare payment Paying with a card or money
Issue
2 RFID embedded in fare card – smart card 2 Card-reader embedded in the hand-rail
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Fare Payment (3/5)
Roll-back during payment on 1:6 sloped ramp Proximity of fare-box to the ramp (MWC)
Issue
Recommended Improvements1 Position fare-box behind the driver (over the wheel-well)3 Use of dash-board mounted fare-box
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Fare Payment (4/5)
Fare payment slot out of comfortable reach zone lack of knee and toe clearance which limits a forward approach
Require extending if too high for some seated individuals (MWC, PWC, S)
Require trunk twisting since located at the turn (MWC, PWC, S)
visual feedback and screen location is outside the line of sight (MWC, PWC, S)
2 Card-reader embedded in the hand-rail2 Prominent feedback on fare payment (e.g. fare-box lights up/change color)
Issue
Recommended Improvements1 Fare payment option on both sides
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Fare Payment (5/5)
Targeted contact required for successful payment Sensor requires targeted contact (VI, MWC, PWC, S)
Issue
Recommended Improvements
2 Prominent feedback on fare payment (e.g. fare-box lights up/change color)
1 Card proximity sensor on the fare-box / door
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Navigation within bus (1/7)
For rear entrance: identifying intersection of aisle and ramp No feedback on reaching the aisle-ramp juncture (VI)
2 Continuous handrail from doorway to seats with fused stanchions
Issue
Recommended Improvements1 Contrast colored / textured aisle to identify ramp-aisle juncture
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Navigation within bus (2/7)
Bumping into the inner wheel-well edge Sharp turn (MWC, PWC, S)
1 Rounding off the wheel-well at the turn
Issue
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Navigation within bus (3/7)
Space while moving in the bus (roll over people’s feet) Insufficient aisle width(WA, MWC, PWC, S)
Issue
Recommended Improvements5 Training for wheeled mobility users
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Navigation within bus (4/7)
Fitting walking aids in the aisle with forward facing seat
Insufficient aisle width(WA, MWC, PWC, S)
Issue
Recommended Improvements5 Training and advice on types of walking aids
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Navigation within bus (5/7)
Locating / hitting stanchions and hand holds No environmental cue (VI)
3 Environmental assistance in conjunction with smart
device on passengers (light, sound, haptic feedback)
5 Training on specific bus designs
Issue
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Navigation within bus (6/7)
Finding vacant seat No environmental cues except fellow passengers(VI)
2 Smartphone activated beacon to identify vacant seats2 Handrail used to signal presence of empty
seat (vibration, air pressure through perforation, texture change, width change)
2 Auditory cue from floor sensors in front of empty seat (WEB LINK)
2 Focused audio signaling vacant seats (WEB LINK)
Issue
Recommended Improvements2 Pressure sensor embedded in the seat
activates “occupied” signal
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Navigation within bus (7/7)
Turning WC/scooter within the bus Space insufficient (especially in high
conditions) (MWC, PWC, S)
2 Fold-down seats (instead of fold-up) to provide more free floor area3 Relocate door away from wheel wells3 Increase door width3 Door hinges down to become ramp
Issue
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Seating (1/6)
Inadequate leg room (forward facing seats) Seats spacing inadequate (WA, VI)
5 additional space for larger individuals, also for the elderly and those with mobility problems which affects sitting and rising
Issue
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Seating (2/6)
Getting up from the seat (specially side facing) No hand supports (WA)
2 Fold-down arm-rest on priority seats
Issue
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Seating (3/6)
Storing the device Insufficient space in the seating area (have to encroach
aisle space) (WA)
2 Velcro tie down on side of seat to secure walkers5 Storing racks for walkers over wheel-wells
Issue
Recommended Improvements1 Storage space between seat and wheelchair tie down for side facing seats1 Increase legroom between transverse seats
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Seating (4/6)
Finding lever to lift the seat Lack of environmental cues pointing to it (MWC, PWC,
S)
1 Markings (on seat / floor) directing to seat lever
Issue
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Seating (5/6)
Effort required to operate the lever limited range of motion / strength requirement (MWC,
PWC, S)
1 Change direction of force required to operate lever (pull up seat = pull up handle to unlock)
Issue
Recommended Improvements1 Change lever design for easy grip
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Seating (6/6)
Bumping into securement and seats No feedback on wheelchair location in relation to
securement (MWC, PWC, S)
1 Environmental cues to guide device location, e.g.
markings on floor
Issue
Recommended Improvements
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental AccessSchool of Architecture & PlanningState University of New York at Buffalo378 Hayes Hall | 3435 Main StreetBuffalo, NY 14214 – 3087
Funded by:The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) through the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Accessible Public Transportation (RERC-APT) and the United States Access Board
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo
Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental AccessSchool of Architecture & PlanningState University of New York at Buffalo378 Hayes Hall | 3435 Main StreetBuffalo, NY 14214 – 3087
+1 (716) 829.5902+1 (716) [email protected]://www.ap.buffalo.edu/ideahttp://www.udeworld.com
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